| | Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 Patient Advocate (1000+ posts) |  Patient Advocate (1000+ posts)
Joined: Jan 2009 Posts: 1,844 | My voice became weak during radiation, my trismus was so severe that I could barely open my mouth anyway so I whispered for the better part of 3 months. Right as I got a bit of my voice back I had the surgery and they wired my jaw shut for 2 months, due to the damage my speech has been severly afflicted as well to where I'm just now being understood by most people.
I ran hotels before this experience and due to the damage done by the cancer, I can't effectively communicate verbally enough to perform my old duties. It's great to have a plan but this disease does not respect schedules, vacations etc...it kills and destroys life and dreams. I would worry less about your schedule and more about living and doing whatever possible to beat this thing.
That sounded harsh and I didn't mean it to but really I'd care more about living then being able to work.
Best of luck
Eric
Young Frack, SCC T4N2M0, Cisplatin,35+ rads,ND, RT Mandiblectomy w fibular free flap, facial paralysis, "He who has a "why" to live can bear with almost any "how"." -Nietzche "WARNING" PG-13 due to Sarcasm & WAY too much attitude, interact at your own risk.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | Eric,
I agree, but, without work who pays for the treatments, meds, doctor bills and whatever else comes with this monster. What about the normal day to day espenses of living, nothing stops because I have cancer. I am taking care of myself according to my doctors and the way I feel. My choices are to continue to carry on a somewhat normal life during treatment for as long as I can or sit on my butt and cry about poor me. If I would have chosen the 2nd option, the Cancer is in total control. I know that in a week or so, that will be the case, but until then and even then I will continue to fight this thing with ever bit of strength I have. I am sorry to hear about your story. I will pray for you and best of luck to you also Eric.
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Senior Patient Advocate Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Sep 2006 Posts: 8,311 | wfc,
With that attitude you will not let this crap steal more of your life than it will left unchallenged.
David
Age 58 at Dx, HPV16+ SCC, Stage IV BOT+2 nodes, non smoker, casual drinker, exercise nut, Cisplatin x 3 & concurrent IMRT x 35,(70 Gy), no surgery, no Peg, Tx at Moffitt over Aug 06. Jun 07, back to riding my bike 100 miles a wk. Now doing 12 Spin classes and 60 outdoor miles per wk. Nov 13 completed Hilly Century ride for Cancer, 104 miles, 1st Place in my age group. Apr 2014 & 15, Spun for 9 straight hrs to raise $$ for YMCA's Livestrong Program. Certified Spin Instructor Jun 2014.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | David,
I am a fighter. In my life I have taken very many journeys, some planned by me, some not. The journey with this monster cancer was not my plan, but I had to come up with a plan to travel it. I planned to try to stay as normal as possible, knowing that I will never be the same person I was before I was told "You have cancer". The rest of my plan involves my faith, family, friends, work and good medical care. I can only hope this plan works for me. If not, I will construct another until I succeed.
Today, I just finshied my 26th rad treatment. I am still working and plan to until the end of next week. If I physically am able. After that I will be off of work for three to five weeks. All part of my plan. I know cancer may have a very different plan for me, but I am in charge of my life.
Thanks for all the support on this site. It gives me strength to go on when I am thinking about giving up. Although, sometimes I think it is a bit too REAL, it was/is sure nice knowing what may lay in wait in this horrible journey that we all must take.
Last edited by wfc; 06-09-2009 09:17 AM.
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts) | | "Above & Beyond" Member (500+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2007 Posts: 794 | Hi Bill,
My mom never lost her voice during RT tx's, it became weak and it was painful for her to speak when she felt dry. can you wear a microphone, something small near your collar so that you don't have to strain so much? my daughters teacher in grade school has one she used during class so that she didnt' have to strain. if you would like for me to call her and ask what the device was exactly i can do that for you. at back to scholl night she used one, we couldn't see it but we could tell her voice was a bit amplified-nothing so obvious.
where are you in PA? where do you receive treatments?
Donna
CG to Mom, dx 4/25/07 with tongue cancer,T3N0,tx began 7/6/07, 31 tx's of IMRT, 8 cycles of Erbitux. Brachytherapy, surgery, left neck dissection and temp trach placed all on 9/17/07, trach removed 10/17/07. ORN of jaw, late effect of radiation symptoms. **lost my beautiful mother on 5/5/11.
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | Donnarose,
Thanks for that offer. If you could find out what it is called I will check it out. I may need it if my voice doesn't come back as fast as I would like it to.
I live in Pottstown and am getting all my treatment at Pottstowm Cancer Center which is an affilate of Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia.
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | Pottstown, wow is that close!!!!
I work in Allentown, I live north in Lehighton. There are several members from the Lehigh Valley area on this site.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive  | | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | Where did you do your treatments
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
| | | | | Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts) | | Administrator, Director of Patient Support Services Patient Advocate (old timer, 2000 posts)
Joined: Jun 2007 Posts: 10,507 Likes: 6 | I went to Lehigh Valley Hospital Center. The big one on Cedar Crest Blvd.
ChristineSCC 6/15/07 L chk & by L molar both Stag I, age44 2x cispltn-35 IMRT end 9/27/07 -65 lbs in 2 mo, no caregvr Clear PET 1/08 4/4/08 recur L chk Stag I surg 4/16/08 clr marg 215 HBO dives 3/09 teeth out, trismus 7/2/09 recur, Stg IV 8/24/09 trach, ND, mandiblctmy 3wks medicly inducd coma 2 mo xtended hospital stay, ICU & burn unit PICC line IV antibx 8 mo 10/4/10, 2/14/11 reconst surg OC 3x in 3 years very happy to be alive | | | | | Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 Senior Member (100+ posts) | | OP Senior Member (100+ posts)
Joined: Apr 2009 Posts: 128 | I used to work on Tilghman Ave. That is a VERY large hospital.
Age 57 at dx on 3/30/2009 by Dentist
SCC of R tonsil S2 Poorly Differentiated - 2.5 cm
Rad - IMRT 5x a wk for 8 wks starting 5/4/2009
No Chemo
Last Rad treatment was 6/26/2009.
Two years down as of 3/30/2011!
God bless all affected by this monster called cancer!
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